Broadcast from 11:30 pm to 1:05am, pre-empling Tonight Show starring Steve Allen, The seventh annual Emmy Awards , and for the first time televised Nationally. From Hollywood Steve Allen. From New York Emcee Dave Garroway. Commercials included.

Samples of American humor from the beginnings till now are examined. A host of stars participate including Phil Silvers, Bob Hope, Jimmy Durante, Eddie Cantor, Burns and Allen, Buster Keaton, Fred Allen, Laurel and Hardy, W.C. Fields, Groucho Marx and Jack Benney. This premiere show for the series was produced by Donald B. Hyatt and his Project 20 staff. Written by Richard Hanser and Rod Reed. Original musical score by Robert Russell Bennett.

September 12, 1955-June 12, 1963. In the fall of 1955 Perry Como returned to NBC where he hosted a weekly hour show. From 1955 to 1959 it was seen Saturday evenings and was titled "The Perry Como Show." From 1959 to 1963 it was seen Wednesday evenings and was titled "The Kraft Music Hall." Regulars included Frank Gallop and the Ray Charles Singers. After his final weekly June 12, 1963 broadcast Perry Como appeared in scores of specials, beginning October 3, 1963, airing on NBC, CBS & ABC, and concluding on December 6, 1986.

September 21, 1963 - December 21, 1963. Jerry Lewis hosted an unprecedented two hour live variety - talk show, signing a five year deal for 35 million dollars in 1963 with ABC Television. A two hour live variety show proved to be more than even Jerry Lewis could handle. The series proved to be an enormous failure. In three months the show was off the air.
The Premiere Show. Opening 23 minutes.

September 12, 1955-June 12, 1963. In the fall of 1955 Perry Como returned to NBC where he hosted a weekly hour show. From 1955 to 1959 it was seen Saturday evenings and was titled "The Perry Como Show." From 1959 to 1963 it was seen Wednesday evenings and was titled "The Kraft Music Hall." Regulars included Frank Gallop and the Ray Charles Singers. After his final weekly June 12, 1963 broadcast Perry Como appeared in scores of specials, beginning October 3, 1963, airing on NBC, CBS & ABC, and concluding on December 6, 1986.

September 11, 1967-June 10, 1968. An all-purpose hour hosted by Danny Thomas. Presentations include musical programs, comedy and variety hours, and filmed dramas. Of the series' 22 shows, only 6 were taped and devoted to variety, comedy or musical specials.

A variety program recreating the old fashioned block party, with various ethnic groups represented.

February 5, 1967-June 8, 1969. "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" was a breath of fresh air, but to CBS the Smothers Brothers seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, with the wrong things to say.

January 4, 1964-February 7, 1970. This broadcast is the complete version of program #1045 which is a 44 minute version. This hour-long variety series was a midseason replacement for "The Jerry Lewis Show."

Shirley Bassey welcomes guests Jimmy Durante, Noel Harrison, and Laurindo Almeida. Songs include the famous "Goldfinger," "The Impossible Dream" and "It's One of Those Songs (Bassey and Durante duet). Surprisingly, Durante was never advertised as a guest star when promoting this program.